A Dangerous Love Read Free Page A

Neptune rising from the waves. “If you drive him off now, I will merely arrange the match by letter. After seeing Juliet’s beauty and sweet temper tonight, he will agree to a match, never fear.”
    Blast! If Mr. Knighton left Swan Park believing that Juliet would make him a suitable wife, how could Rosalind prevent the marriage? She had no choice but to let him stay. But somehow she’d persuade Juliet that the man was wrong for her.
    Papa’s triumphant smirk vanished as he lapsed into another cough. She glared at him, refusing to go to his side. How was it possible to pity someone and also wish to throttle him? She loved Papa, truly she did, but his blindness drove her mad.
    His coughing petered out. “One more matter, gel. I have a task for you to accomplish after Juliet lets you out.”

    “Oh?” she grumbled. “What task?”
    “There is a locked strongbox in the desk in my study. I want you to fetch it.”
    “And bring it here?”
    “No!” His gaze skittered away. “No, better put it where you can keep an eye on it. Your dressing room perhaps. Or in your writing table. Just until your cousin leaves.”
    Suspicions snaked through her mind. “Why? What’s in it?”
    “Only some papers I do not want him to see.” He glanced away.
    “What sort of papers?” she demanded.
    “Just do as I say! And do not mention them to anyone, or try to open the box. Else I shall have your hide.”
    “But, Papa—”
    “Promise you will keep it safe. Or I will have Juliet keep you locked up in here until you do.”
    She sniffed. As if he could manage that. Still…“Oh, all right, I promise.” When he sank weakly back into the pillow, she added, “I do think, however, that if Mr. Knighton is so untrustworthy that you must hide your papers—”
    “Merely a precaution. Nothing for you to worry about. Now let me sleep.”
    Rosalind gritted her teeth. Why must Papa be so bullheaded and secretive? He wouldn’t tell her the truth, yet the more she learned about Mr. Knighton, the more alarmed she became. Something was rotten in Denmark, and it centered on her cousin.
    Well, she’d learn what it was without Papa. Just see if she didn’t.

Chapter 2
Such a set of tittle tattle, prittle prattle visitants! Oh dear! I am so sick of the ceremony and fuss of these fall lall people!
Fanny Burney, English novelist, diarist, and sometime playwright , Journal
    S o this is Swan Park , Griff thought with unaccountable pride as his carriage raced up the majestic oak-bordered drive and past a shimmering pond alive with courtly swans. A refined air of ancient rank clung like ivy to the stone walls of the Jacobean manor, putting to shame his own impressive chateau. Perhaps once Swan Park was his, he’d establish himself here. Yes, it would sway even the most recalcitrant Parliament member.
    “No wonder you want that certificate so badly,” Daniel muttered across from him.
    Griff chuckled. “It would be quite an addition to my properties, wouldn’t it?”
    As the house loomed up, servants streamedthrough the entrance doors to form a long row on the terrace. In the center, two women presided over them.
    “Tell me those two angels aren’t your spinster cousins,” Daniel growled.
    Griff examined them through the dusty glass. “They must be, although there should be three of them. Perhaps the third is sick or tending their father.”
    Daniel scowled as the coach rattled to a halt. “Blast it, Griff, those beauties probably spend their days fighting off the gents. They’ll see me for an impostor at once!”
    “They’re merely country cousins. You’ll do fine.” Griff watched as the taller woman limped toward them, relying heavily on a stout cane. “For the love of God, the dark-haired one is lame. She’ll be glad of a man to pay her some attention.”
    “Are you blind as well as daft?” Daniel hissed. “Lame or no, she carries herself like a bloody duchess. She’ll think me a clod ten times beneath her.”
    The women had